With Irish Music Month set to kick off on Monday September 14, the excitement is mounting about A New Local Hero 2026.

Entries have been rolling in to stations around the country, in what is a wonderful opportunity for Ireland’s rising stars to make a special burst for glory – and the lift-off of a single released through the Rubyworks label – as well as a cash prize of €5,000, payments for performances and studio time courtesy of Camden Recording Studios and mixing and Mastering by the Grammy Award-winning Ruairi Cushnan.

But don't just take it it from us! Here's what past participants had to say about what made it such a special experience:

Laura Jo
Shannonside Northern Sound
Wildcard Award winner at A New Local Hero finale 2023

I still remember where I was sitting in The Academy, when they announced the Wildcard Award winner. All the local winners already had a brilliant day of panels, conversations and meeting like-minded songwriters. After hearing all the talent and experience in the room that day, I genuinely didn’t think I’d win. When they announced that I had won the public vote, I was in complete shock.

It seems like a blur now – from taking the stage to accept the award, to the flurry of coverage and interviews that followed, I was on an absolute high for weeks! I was so proud to bring the Wildcard Award home to Shannonside Northern Sound and Longford. Hearing my music on the radio afterwards, and knowing it was reaching people way beyond my existing audience, was a particularly surreal moment.

The bursary came at such an important point for me. It allowed me to invest in photography, branding, PR and marketing, which can be incredibly difficult to afford as an emerging independent artist. It gave my winning song, ‘Bright Eyes’, the chance to get out into the world.

Coming from a traditional Irish music background, I honestly hadn’t a clue about the wider songwriting industry. I still remember sitting through the panels that day, hearing so much new information, and realising just how much there was to learn. The whole experience really opened my eyes to the industry and to the possibilities that were there for my songwriting.

Winning the award was a huge validation that my songwriting was worth pursuing. I look at the award on my wall today and think about how much that moment changed the trajectory of my career.

Laura Jo

Bobbi Arlo
FM 104
A New Local Hero finalist 2024

For me, the night was a really special moment in my journey as an independent Irish artist. There’s something incredibly surreal about hearing your own music played on the radio, especially when you’ve spent so much time writing, recording and working behind the scenes to get your music heard. Hearing myself on air made the whole thing feel real and reminded me why I started making music in the first place.

The extra coverage around the night also meant so much. As an emerging artist, getting that additional visibility can make a huge difference. It introduces your music to people who might never have discovered you otherwise and gives you an opportunity to reach beyond your existing audience. Every bit of support, whether that’s radio play, press, social coverage or people simply sharing your music, can help build momentum.

Initiatives like A New Local Hero and Irish Music Month are so important because they create genuine opportunities for artists who are still finding their feet. Ireland has an incredible amount of musical talent, but emerging artists need platforms that give them a chance to be heard and recognised.

For me, being part of something like this feels like more than just one night or one radio play. It’s about celebrating Irish artists, creating connections and showing that there is a place for new, exciting and different voices within the Irish music scene. As an independent artist, that kind of support can genuinely change the trajectory of your career.

Bobbi Arlo. Photography by Aga Urbansk.

Carrie Baxter
WLR FM
A New Local Hero finalist 2021

Representing WLR FM at the New Local Hero final in 2021 meant a lot to me – it’s my local station back home in Waterford, and getting there meant that listeners had voted for me. That kind of support from home stays with you.

I loved playing to a room that was there specifically to support new Irish music. That’s a rare kind of crowd to get in front of. And getting to play that venue in Dublin, and hear myself on Irish radio, felt particularly special, given I’m based in London now. I also got to share that stage with one of my best friends, which made the whole night better.

Irish Music Month matters because Ireland has an enormous amount of talent for its size, and most of it never gets a platform beyond word of mouth. Initiatives like A New Local Hero give artists a real deadline, a real stage, and a real audience – exactly what’s needed to keep going. Plus, it’s a night out for your friends and family which is the best part. Get involved, it’s so worth it.

Carrie Baxter

Mia Yermeche
FM 104
A New Local Hero finalist 2021

Taking part in the A New Local Hero final was a really special moment in my journey as an artist. So much work happens quietly when you are emerging: writing, rehearsing, releasing music and trying to find an audience. Being selected for the final felt like meaningful recognition of that effort.

The night itself gave me the opportunity to perform alongside brilliant Irish talent and to feel part of a wider music community. Hearing my music on the radio was surreal. Radio had always felt like something distant, a place where established artists belonged. Hearing my song played changed that. It made the possibility of building a real career in music feel much more tangible and gave me new confidence in what I was creating.

The additional coverage was just as valuable. For an independent artist, visibility can be difficult to secure, and having respected platforms and local radio stations actively champion your work makes a genuine difference. It allows new listeners to discover you, while also reassuring you that people in the industry believe your music deserves space.

Initiatives such as A New Local Hero and Irish Music Month are essential because Ireland has an extraordinary depth of talent that deserves to be heard, supported and taken seriously. Programmes like this do more than offer a performance or a radio play; they create genuine momentum, a sense of community and belief, at a stage when artists need all three most.

Mia Yermeche

Being part of A New Local Hero and Irish Music Month was a really special experience for us. When we first applied we honestly didn’t expect much, we just thought we’d give it a go and see what happens. The buzz and excitement as we got through each round was unreal and before we knew it we had gone from busking in Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow to playing The Academy, on a stage where we’d seen some of our favourite bands play. It was pretty surreal. One of the great parts of the experience for us was the mentorship on the day of the final.

Being able to sit down with industry professionals, talk about our music and get genuine advice was priceless. As an emerging act, those opportunities are hard to come by and we took a lot from them.

There’s so much talent coming through in Ireland, but that first opportunity to get your foot in the door can be so hard, that’s why initiatives like A New Local Hero are so important. A special shoutout to all the gang at KCLR for supporting us throughout the experience and continuing to do so since, especially with the launch of our debut EP. We’re incredibly grateful for all the support so far, we’ve plenty of new music on the way.

We will see you soon.

Asophonics. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Eva Campbell
Spin 1038
A New Local Hero finalist 2023

Being part of A New Local Hero in 2023 was one of the most exciting and valuable experiences of my journey as an artist so far. Being crowned SPIN1038’s winner was such a surreal moment, and getting the opportunity to perform at The Academy alongside so many incredible artists, including Brad Heidi, made the night even more special.

One of the biggest highlights for me was hearing my own music on the radio. Having my new release at the time, People, played on such a major platform was incredibly rewarding and felt like a real moment of recognition for all the work that goes into creating and releasing music independently. Radio support gives emerging artists the opportunity to reach audiences they might not otherwise have access to, and the extra coverage surrounding A New Local Hero helped introduce my music to new listeners and gave me a fantastic platform to showcase my music.

Performing at The Academy was also a huge confidence boost. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and gave me more belief in myself as a live performer, encouraging me to continue doing more gigs and develop my sound and stage presence.

Just as importantly, the experience gave me the opportunity to network with other talented artists and people working within the Irish music industry. Those connections and conversations are invaluable for emerging musicians.

A New Local Hero and Irish Music Month are so important because they actively create opportunities for artists at a crucial stage in their careers. They provide exposure, platforms and support, while helping to celebrate and strengthen Ireland’s incredibly diverse and talented music scene. I would encourage all artists, whether emerging or experienced, to put themselves forward for A New Local Hero - you never know where it could lead!”

Eva Campbell

Temi NLA
FM 104
A New Local Hero finalist 2023

Being a New Local Hero was a huge moment for me as an emerging artist. It started when I was selected as one of six artists to represent FM104. From there, moving on to the A New Local Hero final gave me a real confidence boost.

It felt like the work I’d been putting into my music was actually paying off. One of the best parts was meeting so many people in the music industry. Artists, radio presenters, people behind the scenes. Those connections have been just as valuable as the performance itself.

Hearing my music on the radio was surreal – something I’d imagined for a long time but never knew if it would happen. That made me feel like everything was worth it. Opportunities like this are really important for new artists. They give you a place to share your work, reach new people, and feel like you’re moving forward. I’m really grateful to have been part of it, and it’s something I’ll always look back on with pride.

Temi NLA

Paddy Keyes
Ocean FM
A New Local Hero finalist 2023

It was a fantastic opportunity, especially for someone starting out. I got heaps of radio play from it, all across the country. I still have contact details with those radio stations, and they’ve continued to play my music afterwards. Ocean FM have been supportive since I first started playing music. Then, when you hear your song on stations across the country, it’s a bit mad. It was a really cool experience.

The fee we got for the couple of gigs really helped too, as an independent artist and a student. I was able to release more music with that money. Being able to play in the Academy Main Room for the first time was an amazing experience, as was meeting incredibly talented artists around the country. I still keep in contact with a lot of them today.

My advice is to trust in yourself and trust in your work. I didn’t think I would get as far as I did, so just go for it. Throw the song out there and see what happens. If you get there, enjoy it, be sound and make connections. The people that you’re going to meet on the night, you could be able to work with them down the line. It’s a great opportunity.

Paddy Keyes

Leah Moran
Spin 1038
A New Local Hero finalist 2021

I performed at the first ever A New Local Hero in the academy in 2021. I had been writing and posting songs for a while before that but never had the opportunity to play in front of a real audience. Just to help you fully grasp how much of an amateur I was at the time, I was actually at my Debs when I got the email that I had been chosen as a finalist!

It would’ve been impossible for an 18 year old with little to no experience to get the opportunity to play in such an iconic venue, in front of so many industry professionals without Irish Music Month. In particular it gives new independent artists a range of opportunities that are usually reserved for people with labels and teams. Things like radio play, funding, and opportunities to do interviews and performances. Getting to take part in A New Local Hero was the beginning of my career but also the beginning of building my confidence as an artist.

The support I felt from everyone in the room that night is something I'll never forget. It gave me a boost I really needed and is a memory I will always be grateful for.

Leah Moran at Nothing Compares at The Naas Potato Market Gathering to celebrate Brigid 1500 with Hot Press and Kildare County Council. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Irish Music Month is supported by IMRO, RAAP and Live Nation, along with Ticketmaster, Rubyworks, Camden Recording Studios and Spéir Mix and Master. All-in, the value of the Irish Music Month project for Irish artists is in excess of €100,000.

The stations participating in Irish Music Month are: Clare FM, Classic Hits, Cork's 96FM, East Coast FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Limerick Live 95FM, LMFM, Midlands 103, MidWest Radio, Northern Sound, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, Shannonside FM, South East Radio, Sunshine FM, Tipp FM, and WLR FM.

• Keep an eye on hotpress.com and listen to your local participating station for more news on Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero and the Irish song competition, Amhrán na Laoch.